Seychelles

Seychelles Mamie Bootie

Filed under: Shoes

A unique and versatile pair of shoes for the summer, the Seychelles Mamie Bootie ($89) could be a unexpected alternative to gladiator sandals and ballet flats. These nude colored ankle boots have a scalloped outline and eyelet detailing along the edge giving off a feminine and soft look. You could pair them with an understated form fitting dress or a floral pattern summer dress for a funky yet chic look.

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Tags: ankle boots, booties, Seychelles, shoes, shootie

TripAdvisor's Top Ten Hotel Pools

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If your thoughts are already vacation-centered let me help you on your way. Travel site TripAdvisor has created a list of the top ten most amazing hotel pools from around the world as ranked by TripAdvisor editors and travelers. What makes a pool a top ranker? The view is a major factor, an infinity edge is a help, basically the pool has to transport the lucky swimmer into another world.

The top spot went to the Hotel Caruso Ravello in Ravello, Italy shown above. The hotel is situated on top of the mountains on the Amalfi coast. The 11th century palace has a heated infinity pool that offers timeless views.

Tags: atlantis, bahamas, bali, banyan tree, best hotel pools, Blue Lagoon, golden nugget, hotel pools, Iceland, las vegas, oman, santorini, seychelles, six senses, thailand, the library, turkey

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Fregate Island Private: Exclusive and Secluded

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

More than 500 miles off the coast of East Africa lies Frégate Island, one of the world's most exclusive and secluded spas. Unlike most oceanic resorts, Frégate is in the process of repairing its local ecosystem, not destroying it – making it a nominee for a Luxist award in the best green spa category.

Founded in 2000, this slice of Seychelles paradise was created with the coal of reversing over 200 years of destructive practices such as coconut and cinnamon growing, as well as tortoise harvesting. Today, Frégate's sanctuary boasts the second-largest herd of Aldabra Giant tortoises in the world. Guests can pay a fee to sponsor or "adopt" one of the animals until it is ready to be released into the island's jungle.

Gallery: Frégate Island Private

The tiny island includes 16 regular villas and one super-luxurious Presidential Villa, creating an opportunity to relax in true seclusion. Once there, the cliff-top Rock Spa offers panoramic ocean views, pools and waterfalls, and of course the treatments one would expect from such an establishment: various scrubs and oils made from the freshest possible ingredients.

Frégate's most unusual trait is its extreme isolation from the rest of the world – a welcome break from the daily grind – but it will cost you. Round trip flights include at least two stopovers (usually in Doha, Qatar and Mahé, Seychelles) and typically cost over $2,500 total. If money is no object, Frégate may end up being the trip of a lifetime.

Cast your vote for your favorite spa until March 31st. Winners will be announced on April 1.

Tags: awards-main, best green spa, best spa, fregate island, fregate island private, green spa, luxist-awards, seychelles, spa, spa-main

Banyan Hill At Fregate Private Island

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

One of the world's most exotic resorts Frégate Private Island, in the Seychelles is now offering Banyan Hill, the private villa belonging to the island's owner up for rent. Banyan Hill is located atop a plateau for perfect private views of the beaches and ocean. The villa is on the eastern side of the island, away from the resort's 16 guest villas and accessible only via a private pathway, Banyan Hill is three separate villa, each with a large bedroom, veranda and bathroom - all centered around a shared living area with a terrace, pool, seating area and al fresco cooking facilities. Banyan Hill is attended by a private chef and no less than three butlers. The villa can hold up to six adults and three children for €10,000 per night with a minimum five-night stay.

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Tags: banyan hill, BanyanHill, fregate island, FregateIsland, private island, PrivateIsland, resort, seychelles, vacation

Maia Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The latest fantasy destination in the Seychelle Islands is the recently opened Maia retreat. The resort spa is on the Anse Louis beach on the island of Mahé. Maia cost 27 million euros to build and there are 30 villas each with its own infinity pool. The villas are positioned around the resort offering a variety of types of ocean views. The villa bathroom suites have walled garden showers and an outdoor bath for bathing under the stars. Each villa also has a plasma TV, DVD player, i-Pod, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, fridge and mini-bar. There are three reviews over on Trip Advisor which all report that Maia is a pricey-but-worth-it paradise.

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Tags: maia, resort, seychelles, spa, travel, vacation

Best Celeb-Spotting Spas

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

At CondeNaste Traveler, they have compiled a list of the best celebrity spotting spas - places that offer not only stunning views, but guarantee star treatment to everyone who visits. The full list has the world's top ten star spangled spots and tips on how to dodge the paparazzi who might be lurking near by. Here are a few of the highlights:

The Bathhouse at Calistoga Ranch in Northern California offers complete relaxation in a rustic, romantic setting with natural springs. Keep your eyes peeled for kissing couples like Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Rooms start a $475 per night.

The Spa at Las Ventanas al Paraíso in Baja California is the perfect tropical getaway - at least, everyone on Hollywood's hot list from Jessica Simpson to Charlize Theron seems to think so. Rooms start at 450 per night.

The Spa at Amanpuri in Phuket, Thailand provides much needed relaxation for celebs who have been on the go for years, like Mick Jagger and Harrison Ford. Pavilions (not rooms) start at $680.

The Rock Spa on Frégate Island, the Seychelles, is as far removed from civilization as you can get; it's on a private island in the Indian Ocean. It's a getaway for the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Paul McCartney. Rooms from $2,300 per night.

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Tags: amanpuri, baja, california, calistoga ranch, celeb, celebrity, las vantanas, phuket, resort, rock spa, seychelles, spa, travel

Valentine's Day in the Seychelles

by Matthew Collins (RSS feed) —

In our continuing coverage of the best Valentine's Day surprises, we trek towards the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles are about as far away as you can get from anywhere and located just north of the main island of Mahe, is North Island. North Island is home to a very unique and exclusive lodge featuring only 11 villas to accommodate the most discerning travelers in the world. This Eco-friendly resort is designed to be self-sustaining and completely in-tune with the natural surroundings. The resort decor is utterly fabulous, featuring modernist furniture and natural materials blended perfectly. The villas are a lesson in design perfection with a generous 4,800 sq ft of space with 2 bedrooms and a kitchenette. Outside, guests can relax on a traditional sala or take a dip in your private pool. Naturally, these villas come complete with A/C and a high speed Internet connection.

What truly makes North Island a wonderful place are the natural surroundings. And what better way to enjoy the natural surroundings than to have a picnic prepared for you on a private beach for you and a loved one. To get around North Island, guests have free rein of golf carts. However, be warned that you must share with road with the native tortoises and other wildlife. The island is surrounded by a coral reef that makes for fantastic diving. Cuisine on the island is 5 star and barefoot friendly, whether you decide to eat in the restaurant at the island piazza or in your villa. If getting away from it all is your goal, North Island goes to the ends of the earth and still provides top-notch service. One look at this website, you'll be making a reservation!

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Tags: North island, NorthIsland, Seychelles, Valentines day, ValentinesDay